Tour Description: Guided

Taking this beautiful cycling tour, you will ride from Budapest to Vienna, along the nicest areas of Lake Balaton and Lake Ferta, picturesque landscapes and historic wine regions, through untouched woods, and charming villages of West Hungary. You will visit the famous Herend Porcelain Manufacture, splendid castles and Romanesque churches, nicest medieval towns: Kaszeg and Sopron, the healing Thermal Lake Hévíz, and interesting museums, stay in wonderfully located castles and small hotels with special atmosphere, and taste excellent Hungarian wines and gourmet meals in small but outstanding restaurants and wine-cellars.

HotelsA great feature of this tour is the nice accommodation. You will stay in castles, mansions and historic buildings. All are selected for their antique or unique atmosphere, quiet and beautiful location, lovely wellness possibilities, kind hospitality, and high standards. They are small intimate 3-or 4-star hotels.

FoodHungarian cuisine and wines form an important part of this tour. You will have buffet breakfasts, gourmet dinners in small, but outstanding restaurants or wine cellars, where you can taste the finest local specialities and wines. You will also be offered drinks during cycling, and picnic lunches featuring typical homemade Hungarian food always at beautiful spots.

Routes and sightsThis tour combines visits to lovely historic towns, castles, museums, churches and thermal spas. You cycle along the most beautiful and quiet routes and through unspoilt woods and nature reserves with picturesque landscapes. You ride along quiet country lanes, cycle and forest paths, or river embankments, with very low or no car traffic.

GuidingAll our tours are led personally by the 2 owners of the local company. They will make you thoroughly acquainted with Hungary's history, life, flora and fauna. One of them will cycle with the group, showing the way and the sights, and helping you if you have any kind of trouble. The other drives the support minibus, providing full technical background and catering service en route. They both speak fluent English (and Hungarian).

Back-up vanThe comfortable, air conditioned minibus, is available for the whole group at any time. It provides the opportunity to cycle only along the nicest and most quiet areas of the routes, avoiding unpleasant conditions such as car traffic, rain or steep hills. The minibus also ensures that you can have flexible cycling distances every day. Of course your luggage will also be transferred.

Group sizeThe group size ranges from 6 to 15 people. Because of the same size, you can stay at charming small hotels, intimate restaurants and visit secret places where the crowd can't get in. The atmosphere is more friendly and will provide personal attention.

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Arrival in BudapestYour hotel is centrally situated at the Danube on Buda side with a lovely view. You will meet your guide, hear information about the tour, and eat dinner in the hotel.Overnight in Budapest.

Day 2: Budapest to Tihany (15 miles/24 km)We visit the world famous Herend Porcelain Manufactory. After this experience we cycle down the hills to the Tihany Peninsula which is one of the most beautiful points of Lake Balaton with a famous Benedictine Abbey. We stay here at a lovely hotel. Later we take a walk among the charming thatch-roofed houses and souvenir shops, enjoy a wonderful view, and have dinner in the cosy restaurant of our hotel. Overnight in a hotel near Lake Balaton.

Day 3: Lake Balaton (32 miles/51 km)We cycle along the Northern Side of the biggest lake of Middle Europe, and enjoy the most visited resort area of Hungary. We can see some of Hungary’s most beautiful landscapes, the breathtaking panorama of the lake and the volcanic hills. Riding among vineyards all around, we reach the famous Badacsony wine region, where we taste some local wine, and then we get to a beautiful castle hotel, where we stay two nights.Overnight in Zalacsany.

Day 4: Keszthely and HevizIn Keszthely we visit the beautiful Festetics castle with a scenic English Garden, rich furniture, and its biggest treasure, the Helikon Library. We go to Hévíz, and dip into the second biggest thermal lake of the world. It is the most famous health resort of Hungary, well known throughout Europe as well. The wooden buildings and plenty of water-lilies on the lake make the sight even more beautiful. After getting cured in the healing water, we go back to our hotel.Overnight in Zalacsany.

Day 5: From Castle to Castle (35 miles/56 km)We continue our tour in the nature along sleeping hamlets and softly undulating lands, through beautiful woods, in a really hidden and fascinating area of Hungary. We stop in a lovely old “csárda” restaurant, where you can taste some of the typical local specialities. Then we ride on to a wonderful small Castle, which was owned by an eminent statesman of Hungary in the 19th century. Its luxurious rooms, and unparalleled vegetation of the surrounding park provide a really nice ambience there.Overnight in Ratot.

Day 6: Koszeg and the "Irott Ko" Nature Park (22 miles/35 km)We cycle along picturesque landscapes towards the foothills of the Alps, where we visit a quite unique "iron-curtain museum” among beautiful vineyards. Then we cycle in the Írottkő Nature Park with smashing views, and passing by museum-cellars we ride to the pretty town Kőszeg. We take a walk in the "Sub-Alpine jewel-box” as they call it, and after seeing the sights, we get to an old watermill, which is an enchanting hotel now with a lovely swimming pool, surrounded by a beautiful park with ancient trees.Overnight in Csepreg.

Day 7: Koszeg to Sopron (38 miles/61 km)Cycling along nice fields through beautiful woods, we get to a village, where "the greatest Hungarian”, Count István Széchenyi, a prominent statesman of the 19th century lived. It is worth seeing the museum in his former castle, which shows his outstanding work developing Hungary, and many of world-famous Hungarian inventions. We stay two nights near Lake Fertő in a Castle Hotel with a small thermal bath, founded in the 18th century. Dinner we have in themost special gourmet restaurant of the area. Overnight in Balf.

Day 8: Sopron and Lake Ferto (14 miles/23 km)We take a walk in a wonderful antique world surrounded by the original city walls in town Sopron. We cycle through a lovely wood to Lake Ferto, one of the most interesting wild water areas of Central Europe. We take a boat trip, and we look at an interesting quarry with enormous halls, and a beautiful view of the Lake. We taste some of the finest wines of the region with our dinner in the excellent restaurant again. Overnight in Balf.

Day 9: Sopron to Vienna (28 miles/45 km)We cycle among picturesque wineyards and villages along Lake Ferto, stop in the pretty town Rust which is famous for its storks, and then ride in the Ferto-Hansag National Park, to the northernmost part of the lake. We get to Vienna, where we stay at a nice small family hotel, an Art Nouveau building of the 19th century with a beautiful garden in the finest residential area, not far from the famous Grinzing wine area, where we have our farewell dinner in a nice Heuriger restaurant.Overnight in Vienna.

Day 10: DepartureAfter breakfast you can enjoy the nice atmosphere of the hotel, and have some free time in Vienna, and we hope that you will return home - or as an option, to Budapest with us - with very nice memories for a lifetime.

Picturesque Landscapes and Historic Wine Regions

Budapest to Vienna: Castles and Lakes

Dates and Prices: Guided

Dates

Jun 20, 2015

Tour package

Per person, double occupancy

€1899

Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room)

€250

Extra nights, Budapest

Per person, double occupancy

€72

Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room)

€61

Extra nights, Vienna

Per person, double occupancy

€89

Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room)

€45

Picturesque Landscapes and Historic Wine Regions

Budapest to Vienna: Castles and Lakes

Included Services: Guided

9 nights accommodation in 3 or 4-start castles, mansions or small hotels, in quiet areas with friendly and antique atmosphere, and rather good quality, always with private bathroom facilities.

Full English speaking guiding during cycling and the programmes of the whole tour, with 1st class service of 2 guides, one of us cycling with you, and one of us driving the support van.

Full technical support, and special trailer for all the bikes, and to transport all your luggage.

Air conditioned support bus, available for the whole group throughout the tour, making possible to cycle along the most beautiful and quiet parts of the route, and providing a flexible alternative to have a rest any time.

All the bus transfers, private guided sightseeings, and visits mentioned in the itinerary.

Boat trip on Lake Fertő.

All the museum, castle, church, and bath tickets, written in the programme.

Very good quality hybrid bikes with 24 gears, front suspension, handbrakes, water bottle and panniers.

Souvenir TNS T-shirt and water-bottle.

Sights and most beautiful routes mainly in nature reserves, or woods, mostly with low or no car traffic.

Transfer in Budapest (at the begining of the tour) and in Vienna (at the end of the tour) between the airport or stations and the hotels

Hotel Park Villa, Viennawww.parkvilla.atInterested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.

Picturesque Landscapes and Historic Wine Regions

Budapest to Vienna: Castles and Lakes

Bike Rentals: Guided

Bikes available on this tour, and included in the tour cost (reserved in advance at the time of booking):

Merida Hybrid bike, 24 speed

Bikes come equipped with:

Mudguards

Suspension fork

Rear rack with panniers

Water bottle

Water bottle holder

Shock absorbing seat posts

Helmets:Helmets are available on request as part of the tour price. For safety and hygiene purposes, we recommend that you bring your own helmet or plan to purchase one upon arrival.

Picturesque Landscapes and Historic Wine Regions

Budapest to Vienna: Castles and Lakes

Surface and Terrain: Guided

Most picturesque routes on very quiet roads or cycle paths, mostly on tarmac, and few km smooth gravel paths in the woods. The route is leisurely on mainly flat terrain with some rolling hills. Approximately 80% of the tour is one quiet roads; 19% on dedicated bicycle paths; and 1% on dirt or gravel roads.

Picturesque Landscapes and Historic Wine Regions

Budapest to Vienna: Castles and Lakes

How To Get There: Guided

Tour startNearest airport: Budapest, Hungary

Transfer in Budapest between your airport/station and hotel are included as part of the tour package and must be arranged at time of booking.

Tour endNearest airport and train station: Vienna, Austria

Transfer in Vienna between your airport/station and hotel are included as part of the tour package and must be arranged at time of booking.

Weather: Guided

Weatherspark.com offers information on average weather conditions at most destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box, and select "Averages," and you'll find a range of information such as average high and low temperatures, precipitation, cloudy days, humidity and wind speed/direction.

Of course, if your tour is coming up in the next week, you can also select "Forecast" to get the most current information on upcoming conditions.

Picturesque Landscapes and Historic Wine Regions

Budapest to Vienna: Castles and Lakes

More about Austria: Guided

Austria sits at the crossroads of Central Europe, once the Habsburg Empire’s seat of power that ruled Europe for over 6 centuries. While Habsburg power ended after World War I, Austria remains a prominent country. Today it is known for its idyllic and majestic landscape of mountains, green valleys, rivers and storybook villages. Along with such a landscape are the cultural centers of Vienna and Salzburg. The elegant city of Vienna reveals the glory days of the Habsburg Empire, featuring the Hofburg Imperial Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral and impressive Opera House. Salzburg, home of Mozart and The Sound of Music, has Europe’s largest intact medieval fortress overlooking the cobblestone streets of its historic Old Town.

More about Hungary: Guided

Hungary, a small, landlocked country in Central Europe, has much to offer visitors. Its capital, Budapest, is referred to as both the "Pearl of Danube" and "Little Paris of Middle Europe." Overlooking the Danube River, the two communities of Buda and Pest were connected by the Chain Bridge in the 19th century forming Budapest. Highlights of the city include Castle Hill on which Buda Castle sits, Hungarian State Opera House, Fisherman's Bastion and Hungarian Parliament Building. Hungary also boasts Lake Balaton, Europe’s largest freshwater lake. A major outdoor destination for locals and tourists, the fifty-mile lake offers countless trails for cycling and hiking along with a wide-range of water sports. Vineyards surround the lake where you can enjoy Hungary’s famous white wines while tasting Hungarian goulash and strudel.

Tour Company Background: Tradnatura Sport LTD: Guided

Tradnatura Sport is a small family company, owned by two Hungarian: Marietta and Peter. Based in Budapest, Tradnatura features fully guided and supported, all inclusive cycle tours, which offer an enjoyable experience with perfect comfort. All their tours are designed and led personally by Marietta and Peter, who will show you the nicest places of Hungary by leisure cycling in small groups.

Tradnatura's special strengths include personal attention and service, fully guided all inclusive tours, accompanying support van for the whole group, a guide cycling with the groups and very comfortable bikes. Cycling in small groups, their tours have a family feeling, cycling past castle hotels with special atmosphere, historic sights and scenic routes.

Picturesque Landscapes and Historic Wine Regions

Budapest to Vienna: Castles and Lakes

Terms and Conditions: Tradnatura Sport LTD: Guided

TRADNATURA SPORT- TERMS AND CONDITIONS

If you cancel your booking

If you wish to cancel your holiday after it has been confirmed, you must send us a written cancellation, signed by the same person who has signed the booking form. The date of your cancellation will be the time when we receive it, and the following cancellation charges will be due:

Cancellation more than 60 days before tour start Deposit only

Cancellation between 60 and 42 days before tour start 25% of total price

Cancellation between 41 and 28 days before tour start 50% of total price

Cancellation between 27 and 14 days before tour start 75% of total price

Cancellation between 13 and 0 days before tour start 100% of total price

If you are unable to come on your booked holiday, you can transfer your booking to another suitable person, but a new booking form must be completed for the replacement person. Should this change cause any additional cost, it has to be covered by you or the other person.

If we alter your holiday

Sometimes, we may find improvements to our plans, and make small changes to everyone’s benefit. If rearly we may have to alter an itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances, we will endeavour to offer alternative arrangements maintaining our quality standards. In the unlikely event of any significant alteration of your tour, you will be notified as early as possible, and if these changes are unacceptable for you, we will offer an alternative holiday, or a full refund of all your money you have paid us.

If we cancel your holiday

We require a minimum of 4 guests to run any tours. If we need to cancel your trip we will inform you no later than 30 days before departure. If the guests are less than 6, we may send only one guide to lead the group, instead of cancelling the tour. You will be advised of this prior to departure. We also may cancel your tour, if we are forced to do so by unusual or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. In both cases we will do our best to offer you a suitable alternative tour. If this is not acceptable to you, you will receive a full refund of your money that you have paid us. We cannot refund any incidental costs you may have incurred by your booking (air tickets, insurance, etc.), in case of any kind of cancellation or alteration of our tours.

We would like to treat you and all our clients on a fair way. Before you make your booking, please make sure that you read carefully the Tour Descriptions, Geneal Information, and these Conditions! All the tour bookings and contracts made between our clients („you”), and TradNatura Sport Ltd. („we” or „us”), will be subject to the terms set out in these conditions.

If you alter your booking

If you want to change any details of your holiday after your booking has been confirmed, you have to do it in writing. We will do our best to help you. If you wish to change your holiday within 60 days of departure, we will have the right to apply the cancellation charges set out below. If you decide to change or cancel any details of your holiday after the tour commences, we cannot accept liability for any additional costs, and there will be no refund for any unused elements of the tour.

Accommodation

Our tour prices are based on accommodation in twin or double bedded rooms. If you request a single room, you have to pay a single room supplement. If you wish to share your room, we will try to find a suitable room-mate for you, but we cannot guarantee to find a suitable person. If we cannot find anybody, you have to pay the single room supplement.

Passport or visa

You must have a valid passport to enter and leave Hungary. If you are a national of any countries of the European Union or Switzerland, your Identity Card is enough, but only if your nationality is in your ID card.

So, British, Irish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Icelandic nationals need to have a passport, as well as citizens from the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand. (A Visa is required only for stays longer than 90 days.) If you are from any other countries please check with the local Hungarian Embassy or Consulate, or we can also help.

Fitness and Health

People taking part in our tours do so at their own responsibility, and we suppose that they are in good health. If there is any doubt about your fittness or ability of participation in an activity holiday, please consult your doctor.

Travel and Health Insurance

We strongly recommend that you have an adequate travel and medical insurance to cover unexpected costs due to tour cancellation or interruption, accident, illness, injury or loss, and ensure that your policy covers you for the sport activities you will do on our tours. Such insurance is not included in our holiday prices.

Special requirements

We are very happy to satisfy all your special requirements you may have, such as: extra nights in Budapest, any special dietary, non smoking room, extra wishes connected with bikes, bringing your own bike, and arranging your transport to your hotel in Budapest. Please help us, and send us all these demands when you make your booking, or possibly not later than 60 days before your arrival. Of course we will do our best to arrange everything for you, but later it may be difficult or not possible!

Responsibilities

We can not be held liable for anything caused by unusual or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, that is known as „force majeure”, and we cannot cover any extra costs caused by any such cases. Touring by bicycle could carry some risk. We cannot accept any liability for death, accident, injury, illness, or any other inconveniences suffered by you, and for any loss or damage to your luggage or property on our holidays, unless it is caused by a negligent act or omission of us. All persons taking part in our tours must agree to observe local laws and traffic rules, and you are asked to abide by the safety advices given by your tour leaders (us). When you book, you must inform us about any medical conditions that may affect your ability or other people on the tour.

Price guarantee

We will not increase the price of your holiday once your booking has been confirmed, except due to changes of exchange rates, or increases of accommodation or other costs. Should the increase be more than 10% of the holiday price, you will have the right to cancel your tour, and receive a full refund of all money you have paid us. Once your holiday has been paid in full, no increases of the price will be done.

Complaints

We do our best to make your holiday most enjoyable. However, should you have any complaint during your tour, please notify us as soon as it arises, and we will make every effort to resolve the problem. If you are still not satisfied, please write us within 28 days of your tour end. This contract is governed by Hungarian law.